ISLAMABAD: Admiral Naveed Ashraf has assumed command of the Pakistan Navy as the 23rd Chief of the Naval Staff in a change of command ceremony at PNS Zafar in Islamabad, where Admi­ral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, upon completing his tenure of service, handed over the reins of command to him.

The outgoing naval chief congratulated Admi­ral Naveed Ashraf on his appointment as Chief of the Naval Staff and repo­sed complete confidence in him to lead Pakistan Navy to new heights.

The change of command ceremony was attended by senior government officials, former naval chiefs, serving and retired PN officers, CPOs/sailors, and navy civilians.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf was commissioned in the Operations Branch of the Pakistan Navy in 1989, and he was awarded the Quaid-i-Azam Gold Medal upon the successful completion of his initial naval training in Germany and Pakistan.

During his illustrious naval career, the admiral has served in various command and staff appointments. His rich command experience of over 10 years includes serving as the commanding officer of a gun boat, a mine hunter, three destroyers, and command of the 25th and 18th destroyer squadrons.

Besides, Admiral Naveed Ashraf served as the commandant of Pakistan Naval Academy and had the honour of commanding the Pakistan Navy Fleet. His distinguished staff appointments include fleet operations officer at HQ Commander Pakistan Fleet, captain training at HQ Flag Officer Sea Training, chief staff officer to Task Force-151 at HQ Navcent Bahrain, deputy president National Defence University, naval secretary, deputy chief of Naval Staff (Admin), director general C4I, deputy chief of naval staff (training and personnel), deputy chief of naval staff (operations), and chief of staff at Naval Headquarters.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2023